News Release: State confirms illness associated with multi-state hepatitis A outbreak linked to strawberries

State confirms illness associated with multi-state hepatitis A outbreak linked to strawberries Fresh strawberries linked to hepatitis A outbreak that sickened 17 nationwide Minnesota officials are warning consumers to avoid eating fresh, organic strawberries from the FreshKampo or HEB brands after linking hepatitis A illnesses to these strawberries. The Minnesota Department of Health, the California Department of Public Health, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are working with federal officials and public health agencies in other states and Canada to investigate hepatitis A illnesses associated with eating strawberries labeled under the FreshKampo and HEB names and purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. One case of hepatitis A associated with this outbreak was identified in Minnesota. The person was not hospitalized and has since recovered. The person became ill after eating strawberries purchased from Mississippi Market on March 21, 2022. The strawberries were labeled under the FreshKampo name. Contact your health care provider if you think you may have become ill from eating these strawberries. Symptoms of hepatitis A include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), as well as dark urine and clay-colored stools. Symptoms usually occur 15 to 50 days after eating or drinking contaminated food or water. While the fresh strawberries in focus are no longer in stores, it is possible that consumers have frozen their strawberries and may have this product stored in freezers. With that in mind, officials are urging consumers to check their freezers and discard strawberries from these brands. Consumers can ask their local markets if they carried this specific brand of strawberries. To prevent hepatitis A contamination or transmission, consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis A. Vaccination is recommended for all children starting at age 1 year, for travelers to certain countries and for people at high risk for infection. While hepatitis A vaccination has been recommended for children since 2006, many adults have not been vaccinated for hepatitis A. Anyone who wants to be protected against hepatitis A can talk to their health care provider about getting vaccinated. More information can be found on the CDC's outbreak webpage at Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Potentially Linked to Fresh Organic Strawberries. -MDH- Media inquiries: Michael Schommer MDH Communications 651-373-8271 michael.schommer@state.mn.us Allen Sommerfeld MDA Communications 651-387-6599 Allen.sommerfeld@state.mn.us You can update or cancel your subscription at any time by editing your personal profile. You will need your email address and your password (if you have selected one). P.S. If you have any questions or problems please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.  STAY CONNECTED:   MDH on Twitter     MDH on Facebook     MDH on LinkedIn   MDH on Instagram   This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Health · 625 Robert Street North · St. Paul MN 55155 · 651-201-5000